The J-thing's Observation of the Day
Meant to write this a while ago but have been so busy busy busy....
There is one word I see too often, which constantly grates me because everybody thinks it's right when it so isn't. No, it's not 'stuffs' (though that really is the epitome of such words). This is a more epidemic word, and it's almost insidious in its reach. It's not merely misused by those whose command of the language is at the level of Zambia's GNP, what triggered this was when I saw it being used by a professional whose profession depends a lot on written and spoken English.
It's 'REVERT'.
For some strange reason, the most common use of the term 'revert' is found in e-mail conversations, often in the phrase "please revert on blah blah blah". What the writer means is really: "I've asked you something or I have given you some information/suggestions/feedback, what do you think about it? Let me know or please get back to me."
But the real meaning of 'revert' is:
1) To return to a former condition, practice, subject, or belief.
2) Law. To return to the former owner or to the former owner's heirs. Used of money or property.
3) Genetics. To undergo reversion.
None of the above definitions means 'to get back to or feedback or reply'. So the next time someone tells you to "please revert", think about what former condition or belief or practice you wish to return to and do so. Personally, I'd love to be able to revert to my childhood, which in Singapore, was oh too short....
There is one word I see too often, which constantly grates me because everybody thinks it's right when it so isn't. No, it's not 'stuffs' (though that really is the epitome of such words). This is a more epidemic word, and it's almost insidious in its reach. It's not merely misused by those whose command of the language is at the level of Zambia's GNP, what triggered this was when I saw it being used by a professional whose profession depends a lot on written and spoken English.
It's 'REVERT'.
For some strange reason, the most common use of the term 'revert' is found in e-mail conversations, often in the phrase "please revert on blah blah blah". What the writer means is really: "I've asked you something or I have given you some information/suggestions/feedback, what do you think about it? Let me know or please get back to me."
But the real meaning of 'revert' is:
1) To return to a former condition, practice, subject, or belief.
2) Law. To return to the former owner or to the former owner's heirs. Used of money or property.
3) Genetics. To undergo reversion.
None of the above definitions means 'to get back to or feedback or reply'. So the next time someone tells you to "please revert", think about what former condition or belief or practice you wish to return to and do so. Personally, I'd love to be able to revert to my childhood, which in Singapore, was oh too short....